VHPD identifies officer who died of self-inflicted gunshot wound

Updated Thursday, Nov. 2 at 11:45 a.m. This article has been updated to include the name and a photo of the officer, which Vestavia Hills Police Department posted to Facebook Thursday morning.

Updated Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 2:30 p.m. An earlier report listed the location as Metro Diner, which was not correct and has been updated for accuracy.

A Vestavia Hills police officer succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound Wednesday after being transported to the hospital. On Thursday morning, Vestavia Hills Police Department identified the officer as Robert “Bobby” Hancock in a Facebook post. 

"Officer Robert 'Bobby' Hancock’s tour of duty ended yesterday," the post read. "Bobby loved serving as a police officer and was loved by each of us at VHPD. He will forever be missed by all who knew him. We ask for community’s continued prayers for Bobby’s family, friends and colleagues. We also ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time."

The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1 near the Shoppes at City Hall, in the 1000 block of Montgomery Highway. The area was closed off and VHPD was investigating throughout the afternoon.

When first responders arrived after getting the call that an officer was suffering from a reported self-inflicted gunshot wound, the officer was immediately transported to UAB Medical Center with the help of the Birmingham and Homewood police departments, where he was pronounced dead.

In a statement Wednesday afternoon, VHPD asked the community to keep the officer's family and the entire police department in their thoughts and prayers.

Vestavia Voice will update this story as more information becomes available.